How to solder shifter cable ends?

[dev null]

TIG welder - no filler - I dont bother but I have tried it and it works well

 

My method also.

[Vetseun]

[Dicky DQ]

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The OP wants to keep servicing the inner and outer and not replace. Cable ends cause fraying when crimped so it will work if you keep cutting the cable foe each service. just means you start with a long end and end with a short one.

[DuncanCT]

Or you could trust the Germans...

https://youtu.be/Dr70ba8T0Rc?t=2m30s

[Brother Brett]

Heat cable end with a lighter. Stick the tip through a plastic coke bottle. Job done.

[Li Mu Bai]

Soldering it is quite a mission considering you are going to cut off the excess as soon as its installed.

a small dab of superglue spreads itself easily between the cable strands and hardens quick to give the desired effect too.

[Wannabe]

I only solder my cables after final installation. Small hobby blowtorch works well, you just need to heat the cable very well, as stated. I use very thin lead solder which melts and flows easily.

[David Marshall]

Or you could trust the Germans...

 

https://youtu.be/Dr70ba8T0Rc?t=2m30s

That is the real thing!  For me, I gave up on soldering a while ago.  Not economical time wise. Just leave enough excess on the end of the cable to cut the end cap off and re-use once.  Then replace.  Cables and housing come cheap enough not to have to re-use.

[Mongoose!]

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add extra weight

[Shebeen]

That is the real thing!  For me, I gave up on soldering a while ago.  Not economical time wise. Just leave enough excess on the end of the cable to cut the end cap off and re-use once.  Then replace.  Cables and housing come cheap enough not to have to re-use.

exactly...if you have a new cable always use that surely? I was told to really spray out the old cable first, so it cleans up the inner nicely as you remove it.

 

is this is just for a late night bodge when you don't have a bike shop open?

[Organic]

heard super glue does also the trick - never tried it

 

I've used superglue, and it works perfectly.  Just put a drop on the end - it seeps in and hardens, holding the strands of the cable in place.

 

Also useful for cutting the cable if you don't have a proper pair of cable cutters - just drop some superglue where you want to cut, wait for it to dry, and then cut with regular pliers.

[lechatnoir]

is this is just for a late night bodge when you don't have a bike shop open?

 

late-night bodges... we should have that as a sticky somewhere... how often does that happen?

[Skylark]

exactly...if you have a new cable always use that surely? I was told to really spray out the old cable first, so it cleans up the inner nicely as you remove it.

 

is this is just for a late night bodge when you don't have a bike shop open?

I like using the jagwire Teflon coated cables, not cheap and why throw money down the drain if the cable is still perfect. Also it's less hassle to reuse, the cable is already cut exactly to length, there's no nervous cutting hoping you haven't forgotten to setup something..

[Skylark]

Heat cable end with a lighter. Stick the tip through a plastic coke bottle. Job done.

Interesting tip, probably need to remove that plastic coating before reusing it though?

I've used superglue, and it works perfectly. Just put a drop on the end - it seeps in and hardens, holding the strands of the cable in place.

 

Also useful for cutting the cable if you don't have a proper pair of cable cutters - just drop some superglue where you want to cut, wait for it to dry, and then cut with regular pliers.

Once dry obviously, will the superglue coated tip fit through the cable housing without any issues?

[Organic]

Interesting tip, probably need to remove that plastic coating before reusing it though? Once dry obviously, will the superglue coated tip fit through the cable housing without any issues?

 

If you use the regular superglue (I've never tried the gel), then yes, it fits fine.  Wipe off excess immediately after applying, but in general it seeps in between the fibres.

[Skylark]

If you use the regular superglue (I've never tried the gel), then yes, it fits fine. Wipe off excess immediately after applying, but in general it seeps in between the fibres.

This is probably the easiest/least hassle but I'm going to practice with the blow torch and some scrap cable to see if I can get the soldering right.